Alex Megos, 19, Makes First Ascent of 5.15a

By Liz Drummond

5/1/13 - Alexander Megos has made the first ascent of Classified (5.15a/9a+), on the Holzgauerhaus Wall, Frankenjura, Germany. This is his second 5.15a redpoint.

This shallow-pocketed, ca. 65-foot route was originally bolted by Carsten Seidel about 10 years ago, and later re-bolted by Christian Bindhammer as an open project. Classified is the direct finish to Guido Köstermeyer's The Mos (5.14a).

The 19-year-old German Megos attempted the route last year; this year, he needed just two days to complete it. Megos consulted with Markus Bock and Bindhammer, both of whom have attempted the line, to suggest 9a+ (5.15a).

While the completion of this route marks Megos' first first ascent, he is no stranger to breaking new ground. In March, he made the world's first (confirmed) onsight of a 5.14d with Estado crítico in Siurana, Spain, and a week later redpointed his first 5.15a with La Rambla.